It was an emotional press conference for the Iranian team ahead of Thursday's meeting with host nation Australia in the Asian Championships.
Reporters had been asked not to ask about the war, but both Sara Didar and national team captain Marziyeh Jafari touched on the situation back home in Iran.
"We are, of course, all concerned and saddened by what has happened to Iran and our families in Iran," said 21-year-old striker Didar through an English-speaking interpreter.
“Very worried”
The national team arrived in Australia for the tournament well before the US and Israel launched their attacks on Iran on Saturday. Due to constant power outages in Iran and other factors, it is difficult for players and managers to stay in touch with families and relatives back home.
"We are obviously very worried about how our families, loved ones and all other Iranians in our country are doing. We have completely lost contact with them," said national team captain Jafari.
Ahead of Monday's opening match against South Korea (0–3), the players stood silent during the Iranian national anthem. Several Iranian fans reportedly waved the version of the Iranian flag used before the 1979 revolution during the match, according to the German news agency DPA.
“Show our compassion”
Australia coach Joe Montemurro said his team and supporters would face the Iranian national team with great compassion on Thursday.
"We want to give them the best tournament possible and an experience of a lifetime," Montemurro said, continuing:
"For us, it's about showing our compassion, our respect, and showing what a great country we are and what great people we Australians are."
